Giving Interview feedback to unsuccessful candidates
No one likes hearing they didn’t get the job.
Especially when the job market is tough.
However, as an employer, offering unsuccessful candidates valuable feedback provides benefits to them and your company.
To do so however, it is crucial to understand why such feedback is important.
Why Give Feedback to Unsuccessful Candidates?
Several reasons for providing feedback include:
Good interview etiquette
Whether an applicant is right for your organisation or not, bear in mind that most people start their career at entry level. When you’re at this level, good advice is not always easy to come by. As such, offering feedback conveys empathy, guidance and support, which many candidates need at the start of their careers.
Builds your company’s reputation
A candidate may not secure a vacancy at your company but if your feedback is constructive and improves their interviewing skills, you will be held in high-esteem. A candidate can always look back fondly and say, “I didn’t get the job, but because of the feedback I received from Company X, I was able to refine my strategy and landed a position soon after”.
Present applicants = future customers
Think of helping your unsuccessful candidates as an investment. They would be very grateful if your feedback is undeniably constructive and useful. This sense of gratitude for the valuable advice you provide could, in the future translate to them becoming customers of your company.
For example, if you are an insurance company and a candidate applies for a vacancy but is unsuccessful. If you provide valuable feedback to help them improve, they will be grateful. They may remember you and come right back to purchase a policy from you when they acquire a car or house!
Job Interview Feedback Tips
When providing feedback to unsuccessful candidates, remember, candidates are already feeling discouraged. Providing feedback must therefore, alleviate any discouragement and be done in a constructive way. This is done by:
Providing feedback promptly
It makes sense to be prompt with this type of information. Calling a candidate promptly to let them know they haven’t secured the position should be within the same week your successful candidate is identified.
If you already know they won’t be getting hired based on a terrible interview performance for example, reach out to them within three days of the interview. Let them know why they haven’t been successful and what factors led to that decision. Next, provide suitable recommendations which they can use to improve their interviewing skills and achieve greater success next time.
Show gratitude for the application
Thank the candidate for their interview attendance When delivering your feedback about that interview, acknowledge the time and care the candidate took in putting their application together. This sort of acknowledgement indicates their efforts were atleast recognised and though unsuccessful, they were not ignored.
Encourage candidates by letting them know you see their strengths
Sometimes a candidate may be unsuccessful not because of an experience or qualification issue. Very often, it could just be personality fit. If this is the case, your feedback should direct them to other companies or industries in which their strengths can serve as assets. Highlight these strengths to make them feel empowered.
Provide specific reasons why you’re not making an offer
Beginning on a compassionate and positive note is key. Now comes the reason as to why you’re not making an offer. This is ultimately why the candidate has been unsuccessful. In this part of your feedback, you need to be as specific and honest as possible. Specifically, you can describe:
- Why they did not get the job – the overall reason?
- Specific examples within their interview performance that derailed their chances of being hired
- Clear examples of weaknesses in their character or application that you recommend they work on
- How can these weaknesses be rectified? Don’t just emphasise what’s wrong, but how it can be addressed to improve their job marketability?
Leave the door open to future applications
Reassure them that your company would be open to future applications and their unsuccessful attempt here would not be held against them going forward.
Respond to follow up questions
This can be quite a positive thing as candidates asking questions means there is a desire to improve. Entertain their questions accordingly and provide your best advice on improving their job prospects.
End politely and courteously
As always, end your correspondence on a polite and professional note. Thank them again for their application and wish them the very best in their future career.
Interview feedback examples
You’ve got an impressive amount of work experience necessary for this position. However, when we reviewed past accomplishments and project samples in your portfolio, we decided to go with someone who prefers to work as part of a team, as opposed to independently. We’re also looking for someone who has more practical experience in Smartsheet and Celoxis. Nevertheless, we were all very impressed with your resume and we’ll definitely keep in contact for any future openings.
You definitely have the analytical skills we need for this role. However, during your interview, we found it a bit challenging to process your responses to the questions. Granted, we understand you may have been nervous and unfortunately it was clear in your speech and demeanor. We think you are very intelligent and recommend that you practice your communication skills a bit more to have better luck next time. All the best!
Your technical skills were completely on-point and relevant to this position. We also liked your in-depth knowledge about the financial services industry. However, we regret to inform you that we must pass on your application. While your skills and qualifications were sound, your interview performance came across as disinterested and your attire was a bit on the sloppy side. We think you are a good candidate and we’d be willing to email you a link to a free online resource to improve your interviewing skills. Best of luck in the future and thank you for applying to our company.
